| dc.description.abstract | This master´s thesis explores the rationales of why people hike solo, why it gives meaning to practitioners, and which key drivers there are for solo hiking?
Previous finding suggests categories of meaning constructions like for example “recreation purposes”. Other findings to mention are “self-actualisation” as a key driver for travelling solo.
The thesis builds on seven interviews with people with experience in solo hiking who were recruited in the Swedish Facebook-group “Ensamvandring" (Solo hiking).
The method approach is based on Heidegger´s hermeneutic phenomenology, more specifically IPA, Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, and conducted through semi-structured qualitative interviews.
The interpretation generated four themes regarding the rationales for solo hiking (no ranking):
* Restoration, 2. Nature connection, nature experiences, 3. Freedom, 4. Spiritual, Existential.
Findings suggest that key drivers connected to the above-mentioned categories emerged through the data. These key drivers are Spiritual nature connection and Mental restoration. One could have the idea that physical exercise would be a rationale for solo hiking, but only one respondent mentioned that, and only in passing.
This research supports findings that hiking solo can be spiritual as well as restorative. Further, it suggests that solo hiking has a role to play in meaning construction, personal development, and contemplation, and is a facilitator for existential reasoning for the individual. Findings can be valuable in healthcare as well as in tourism contexts. | |
